You know what I miss about being a kid? Crafting at school.
If I wore a bee hat and ran around screaming, “Bzzz! Bzzz!” I would be locked up in a padded room. The world needs more bee hats. And bzzzing instead of talking should be socially acceptable. Because I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing like a little bee to make my morning a bit brighter.
Many of you have asked for another update on Tonya, my neighbor who was diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this summer (here’s the whole story). She is still so grateful for the $20,000+ donated by HTP readers (donations are still being accepted). It helped her family through the initial stages of treatment tremendously. Tonya has said multiple times that she just doesn’t know how her, her husband, and the boys would’ve made ends meet otherwise.
The boys are doing well (and continue to make my ovaries ache on a daily basis). Of course, it’s been hard for them to see their mommy get so sick and not really understand what is happening and why – well, the adults don’t understand why, either. But in many ways, they are still the same cute and fun kids they were four months ago. Thanks to your donations, the family was able to hire an excellent nanny who takes them to the park when Tonya cannot. They’re all doing the best they can, considering this:
(Source)
I’ll do a more complete update on Tonya soon, I promise! I think it’s so sweet that people have continued to follow up and ask about her progress. I know the concern – and prayers – means a lot to her.
Even though I’m too old for a bee hat, I’m never too old for Panda Puffs cereal.
In the mix:
Oikos vanilla Greek yogurt
Panda Puffs
Almonds
Banana
Ready, set, GO! Time to get this day started.
Hold onto your bee hat!
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{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the update Caitlin. Still continuing to pray for Tonya and her family!
Me too! Please let Tonya & her family know that we have NOT forgotten about them. Sending lots of love & hugs & prayers!
She really appreciates this.
That little boy is adorable. I think of Tonya often, would love an update. It’s so nice to know her kids are still getting some bit of “normalcy” through the donations.
I agree, thanks for the update. I’m still thinking and praying for her and her family often!!
Thanks for the update.
My family has been affected by cancer on more than one occasion and it can be very tough to deal with the situation. Not just for the patient but for the family as well.
My thoughts are with her
Thanks for keeping us posted! Her baby boy is adorable!
I’m glad to hear Tonya’s family is doing well, and that the donations helped. Her kiddies are adorable! I was the crafting queen when I was little, and I insisted that my mum let me save everything (even empty toilet paper rolls!) because “they might make a good craft!!” Have a great day!
Thanks for the update — I’m glad the donations have helped them out. She has popped into my mind a few times over the past weeks.
Thanks for the update – I thiink if you donated, you get an update via email? I know I’ve had quite a lot via email.
THAT would be cool!
I think it should still be socially acceptable as an adult to wear fairy wings and pretend to be riding a pony all the time
That would be awesome!
Gosh kids really do know how to make a day brighter. I got to start my day today with my 16 month old neice, which I never do, and it started off my day on the best note ever (even though we are on day #3 now without power!)
So adorable. Glad the blog community could have an impact!
I think about Tonya every.single.day. I check her donation page often for updates. I’m a mom with 2 boys as well, and I can not even remotely grasp her situation. It is so unbearably sad.
Thank you so much Penny.
Those pictures are absolutely adorable!! Please tell tonya she is in my thoughts and prayers. <3
I miss crafting as well! School started for me last week & I just thought I wouldn’t feel as annoyed about starting school if I were in 1st grade and could make all sorts of cool projects again. Remember buying a new box of crayons? I just loved having a new box of sharp & colorful crayons… sigh….
God Bless Tonya and her family. I will lift her up in prayer this morning. She is in good hands with the master Physician and her faith will get her through this difficult time.
Aww, what a sweet post. I think of Tonya often and I’m so glad her boys are doing well. This post gave me a glimpse of what HTP could be in a few years though, what with the cute kid photos and all
xx
They are so cute! I too want a bee hat. I keep reading updates on Tonya’s page. She’s always in my prayers!
Ah-mazing. How funny! I wish I had such cute neighbors!
I think the world would be a much happier place if everybody wore bee hats more often
Thanks for the update! I’ve been thinking about her a lot. It’s so great to hear that the donations helped, but I’m also glad you’re keeping us all updated (and that she is so open). I know when an illness like this is first diagnosed, everyone rallies around, but after a while people start to dwindle off. I hope that by keeping everyone updated, Tonya can continue to feel the love of friends and strangers pour out to her.
I love the hat its adorable. I’m happy to hear that the family is doing well too, the blogging community never ceases to amaze me
They really sound like an amazing family! Thanks for the update and the adorable photos.
I want a bee hat too! I love crafts- every time I’m at Michael’s I’m tempted to buy childrens craft supplies
It’s really good to hear how Tonya and her family are doing during such a time, and her boys are adorable! they look so happy and innocent, I love that about kids
Lol to the expression making your ovaries ache…never heard it before but it makes me smile! That would be exciting to read about, little HTP people 
xyx
I wore that same bee hat for the Warrior Dash last month! Our whole group wore different ones – labybug, piggy, dog, cat, frog, tiger, monkey – and amazingly it stayed on for the entire race!
Haha awww that’s SO cute!!! That would make an adorable bike helmet topper. That could make wearing a helmet more fun!
Aww.. That’s so cute. I miss my early childhood! Best memories ever. Thanks for sharing an update on Tonya. Give her a hug from us
Tell the truth: did you try on the bee hat? And maybe do a bit of buzzing? If not, then you really missed out! Thanks for the update on Tonya.
i did wear the bee hat and buzz around!
What a cutie that little boy is! That’s so neat you’re so supportive to her and her family through this time.
What a cutie that little boy is! That’s so neat you’re so supportive to her and her family through this time.
That kid is so cute! Thank you for the update, I can only imagine how hard it is to not only deal with something like that personally, but worry about how your family deals with it as well.
Great update, complete with smiling angels. Please let Tonya know she is in our prayers and we look forward to updates.
**my stepmother got that same hat for my daughter and she wore it every day for about 2 months. It was hysterical!
That is so cute. I love it when kids get on outfit kicks.
Thanks for updating us. What an AMAZING kid, look at the life in those eyes he has!(or shal I say bee eyes) so gorgeous he is!
Thank you so much for the update on Tonya! I wonder about her from time to time. And now I totally want a bee hat…
That bee hat is so cute!
Thanks for the update!
What a little cutie!!
Glad to know Tonya and her family are coping and doing as well as can be expected. My thoughts and prayers are with her!
So glad to hear the family is doing well under circumstances!
It is so wonderful for you to help out that family in their time of need. They’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for the update. I am glad that under the circumstances she is finding joy in life. Tonya is so postivie and I find that to be remarkable. I truly believe that a positive attitude can go a very long way and can work miracles. Prayers for Tonya!
Conlin and Nolen are super cuties. I know things have been quite the struggle for Tonya as of late, and I think of her often. Thanks to you bringing her situation to our attention, I’ve been able to take dinner to her family twice, thus far. It’s great to be able to help out!
And yes, I want that hat!
~
is that your new lens? it takes gorgeous pictures! i am still praying for tonya.
Yes it is
And thank you!
Oh my goodness what a generous contribution. I can’t imagine being in her shoes, with a son myself and a happy life. I only hope to have as positive an attitude as she does.
Glad to hear Tonya is doing ok. And for the record I think you’re never too old for a bee hat!
Hmmm… what does it say about me that I’m 25 and have that exact same bee hat?
That hat is great – I want one!
In your next Tonya update could we get some pics of the tattoo? I saw it on fb a few days ago but can’t open it up properly
Yes! We are waiting for the tat to heal up so she can shave her head fresh again!
Great update! So glad to know that Tonya’s moving along well, and that our donations have helped her some. Shes so inspiring — keep the updates coming